RKC: COMMENTS ON TURING
<Bob Clark (9512275.1736 EDT)>
I'd like to comment on the Turing Machine discussion.
First - it seems likely that you have all noticed that we are faced with
the Turing Test Situation whenever we "look at" the "Net." All anyone
"sees" is his own monitor and/or printer. Is it a man or a machine on the
other end? How can we tell? In some cases, it seems like the replay of a
record -- a machine? Yet, again, we see a spark of originality -- something
different, unusual? Is this a man? How can a test be defined, in order
to distinguish?
It seems to require some question that is likely to NOT have been programmed
in advance. Thus, if the subject has a limited education: one of the
classic Paradoxes, or, perhaps an unusual mathematical situation, such as,
"What is the limit of 1/x*sin(x) when x approaches zero." The answer is well
known to mathematicians, but not likely otherwise.
Also, one could consider asking that a conflict (perhaps between speed and
accuracy) be resolved. Unless pre-programmed, it seems very unlikely that
a machine will come up with the concept of "going up a level" (or equivalent
process).
In addition, a true machine is unlikely to show an emotion, such as
frustration, when faced with a difficult, or, perhaps, a time consuming
problem. Similarly, a choice of foods: "beef steak" or "pork roast"
is clearly beyond a computer's experience -- unless pre-programmed.
After all -- the man has a Re-organizing System, or equivalent -- that
the computer lacks.
Enough for now. Sincerely, Bob Clark